Testing was conducted in May by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) out of its National Air Security Operations Center in Grand Forks, N.D. CBP continues to utilize an earlier Lynx variant in day-to-day border search operations aboard its Predator B RPA, also manufactured by GA-ASI.

“Utilizing the Moving Target Indicator mode for detecting people walking or slow-moving vehicles from an RPA is a cutting-edge capability,” said Linden Blue, president, Reconnaissance Systems Group, GA-ASI. “The real paradigm shift is DMTI, which allows agents to detect extremely slow-movers, ranging from walkers or people on bicycles.”

The Lynx Multi-mode Radar expands agent situational awareness significantly, enabling them to detect, locate, and improve high geo-location accuracy of a much wider range of moving targets. It also enhances the system’s ability to cross-cue Predator B’s other onboard sensors to pursue high-value targets and allows for improved target tracking.

Integrated into CBP’s Predator B, Lynx Multi-mode demonstrated several significant performance achievements during the test, meeting all of CBP’s required specifications for the radar. The DMTI mode allowed agents to detect both very slow-moving vehicles and personnel moving (dismounts). In addition, the ability to select a GMTI/DMTI target and cross-cue the target to Predator B’s Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor Field-of-View (FOV) was demonstrated.

The new Lynx Multi-mode Radar is a two-channel variant of the existing single-channel Lynx Block 20 Radar. It utilizes enhanced radar techniques and a Space Time Adaptive Processor (STAP) that permits a target to be imaged using a matrix rather than a linear array. This is a significant technical enhancement that improves the radar’s MTI capabilities, enabling the detection of people.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle, and the new Predator C Avenger.